Method and apparatus for non-access stratum message processing during handover in evolved network

A method for Non-access Stratum (NAS) message processing during handover in an evolved network, comprising:

• receiving, by an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a message which indicates that a User Equipment (UE), is being handed over sent by a Source-eNodeB (S-eNB), wherein the message which indicates that the UE is being hand over is a direct transfer failure message or a direct transfer response message;
• buffering, by the EPC, an NAS message to be sent to the UE;
• receiving, by the EPC, a message which indicates that the UE returns to the S-eNB service area sent by the S-eNB when the handover fails;
• and
• sending, by the EPC, the NAS message to the UE through the S-eNB when it is necessary to send the NAS message to the UE.

A method for NAS message processing during handover in an evolved network, comprising:

• receiving, by an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a message which indicates that a User Equipment (UE), is being handed over, sent by a Source-eNodeB (S-eNB);
• starting, by the EPC, a retransmission timer;
• and
• sending, by the EPC, the Non-access Stratum (NAS), message to the UE through the S-eNB when it is necessary to send an NAS message to the UE after the retransmission timer expires and the handover fails.